Companies that don't address employee mental health could be sabotaging themselves, a new study suggests.
Adults with social anxiety and depression tend to work fewer hours, according to new research published in Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice.
Researchers analyzed data from 250 adults diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Over a 52-week period, they tracked how many hours each participant worked and recorded their symptoms of anxiety and depression to see if their mental state could predict hours worked.
Natalie Datillo, a clinical psychologist and lecturer at Harvard Medical School, says that when poor mental health persists, there are negative consequences for both CEOs and employees. Depression and anxiety are treated differently, but they can both cause people to separate, she said.
"Avoidance creates isolation and withdrawal and limits our opportunities for positive reinforcing experiences," she said.
A job can provide some safeguards that are often overlooked.
"Work has a protective effect on our mental health," she said. "Work in general is good for us from a mental health perspective. It gives us structure in our lives, it gives us something to do, It gives us the opportunity to interact with others, not to mention it allows us to earn an income.”
“The less we do, the less likely we are to experience things that make us feel better”
People who struggle with certain anxiety tendencies may find going to work, giving presentations, and interacting with colleagues a challenge, but ultimately not bothering with their decisions.
“For the most part, we can put it together and make it better,” Datillo said. “For people who struggle with anxiety, they don’t feel better. They spend too much time in their day. Think, reflect or obsess over how they work and what others are thinking. ”
Harsh self-criticism can also kick in if they're frustrated. This can lead to them leaving early, calling in sick, and detaching themselves even more.
Ironically, the more they avoid work, the worse their symptoms of anxiety and depression become.
"The less we do and the more we avoid, the more likely it is that things will make us feel better," she said.
By taking care of their employees' mental health, companies may actually be helping their bottom line.
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